Dutch Government Reverses Course on English-Taught Degrees Policy

In a significant policy shift, the Dutch government has rolled back its plans to limit English-taught degree programs at universities, scrapping a controversial component of the Internationalisation in Balance Act (WIB).

The proposed measure — known as the Foreign Language Education Test (TAO) — would have required universities to justify teaching programs in a language other than Dutch. Institutions would have needed to prove both the necessity and added value of offering degrees in a foreign language, particularly English.

The reversal was welcomed by higher education leaders across the Netherlands. Caspar van den Berg, president of the Universities of the Netherlands (UNL), called the decision “very good news,” warning that the TAO would have harmed the education system, labour market, and regions already facing demographic decline.

“The TAO would have been disastrous for our education system, the labour market, and the vitality of border and shrinking regions,” he said.

A Shift in Direction at a Critical Time
The policy amendment was outlined by Education Minister Eppo Bruins in a letter to Parliament on July 3, citing effective self-regulation by universities as a reason for the change. Voluntary actions taken by institutions — including enrolment caps and converting some programs to Dutch — helped ease concerns about unchecked international student growth.

While the TAO will still apply to new foreign-language degree programs, Bruins confirmed he is “effectively relinquishing [his] ability to intervene in the current foreign-language program offerings.”

Under the revised policy, new English-taught programs must meet at least one of the following criteria:

• Address a sector with labour shortages
• Be located in a region with population decline
• Be “inherently international” in nature

Edwin van Rest, CEO of Studyportals, called the reversal a “welcome and timely shift,” particularly as international interest in studying in the Netherlands has declined sharply in recent years amid policy uncertainty.

“The new direction signals renewed support for internationalisation and offers much-needed clarity for universities,” he said.

Universities Regaining Control Over International Enrolment
Dutch universities have already started managing international student flows independently. Since the proposal in October 2024, they have reduced recruitment efforts abroad and warned prospective students about housing shortages.

According to UNL data:

• International student applications from Europe for 2025/26 are down 4.5% from last year
• Compared to 2023/24, applications are down 11%
• Overall international enrolment has dropped by 3% year-on-year

UNL spokesperson Ruben Puylaert emphasized that universities are now better positioned to regulate intake in a way that aligns with sectoral needs and societal priorities.

“These figures show that universities are increasingly gaining control over the influx of international students,” he said.
“But we also see that the Netherlands’ image as an attractive place to work and study has suffered significant damage.”

Balancing Growth and Labour Market Needs
While the government continues to target reductions in certain areas, university leaders stress the need for flexibility in growing international enrolment where it serves economic and demographic goals.

• “A key element of our approach is to retain the flexibility to grow the number of international students in sectors where they are needed,” said Puylaert.

Van Rest echoed this sentiment, highlighting the broader national interest in attracting global talent.

• “With an ageing population and persistent labour shortages in key sectors, international graduates — who already have high stay rates and strong economic contributions — represent a vital source of talent.”
• “Re-engaging international students is not only in the interest of Dutch universities, but of the country as a whole,” he added.

The revised legislation is expected to be submitted to Parliament by the end of 2025, and will include provisions for universities to implement more targeted enrolment caps based on program needs.

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